[ayaghmour2]

There will be a weekly write up, most likely tonight, but I don't really have time for it right now. It's not because I don't want to write one, we actually had a good week. Plus, I'm a bit behind on the draft write ups, so it worked out rather well. I just made my 9th Round pick when starting this, and we could potentially finish the draft before I finish this writeup.

6th Round, 96th Overall: CF Cy Howard
School: Daniel Boone College
1940: .264/.320/.351, 262 PA, 8 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 36 RBI, 37 SB
Career: .288/.350/.362, 534 PA, 16 2B, 4 3B, 4 HR, 76 RBI, 37 SB

You'll notice a lot of center fielders in this class, as are system was a little weaker in the outfield, so I wanted to add a lot of new fresh faces. At the top, guys like Red Looney, Tommy Sandstorm, Izzy Sevilla, and Oscar Panduro were getting time, and I wouldn't mind one bit giving their at bats to younger, more exciting prospects. The next to join the system is a two year starter at Daniel Boone College, Cy Howard, who had a much better sophomore then junior season. Howard hit .311/.378/.373 last year, and the only real improvement this season was he hit three homers instead of just one. Despite all that, the Mock Draft listed the 22-year-old as the projected 16th Overall Pick. Do I believe he is a first round talent? Not at all! But, that's not to say Howard doesn't have a lot going for him. First, Howard is very versatile, experienced playing all three outfield spots as well as both middle infield spots, and I imagine he wouldn't have too much trouble with first or third either. Second, he's a baseball rat, first one in, last one out, and I love hard workers like that. But most importantly, Cy Howard is from the beautiful city of Chicago, and a huge Cougar fan! Mix all that together, and I think it's about as exciting as you can get for a 6th Round draft pick! Weinstock isn't as excited as me, labeling him a borderline bench player, but he likes his athleticism and thinks he can become a decent hitter. OSA is a bit fonder, expecting him to hit over .300 and they think he could force his way into a lineup if a team is dealing with injuries like we are this season. Howard can probably start in San Jose, but with all the new outfielders joining the system, I'm not quite sure where he'll end up. Of course, he may even start in the infield, or take on a Connie/Jasper Wright role and fill in wherever he is needed. Regardless, I was happy to take Howard, and even if he never makes it to the show, he should be excellent minor league depth and can make our lives a little bit easier.

6th Round, 97th Overall: C Del Branch
School: Minnesota Tech
1940: .271/.317/.399, 224 PA, 9 2B, 3B, 5 HR, 39 RBI, 2 SB
Career (HS): .415/.496/.639, 382 PA, 39 2B, 2 3B, 9 HR, 85 RBI, 16 SB
Career (COL): .286/.328/.410, 754 PA, 33 2B, 3 3B, 16 HR, 127 RBI, 8 SB

Directly after the Howard pick, I grabbed my first catcher of the year, Del Branch, who the Mock actually predicted would be our 2nd Round selection. Just like with Howard, I think the Mock over rates him, but there is a lot to like about the three year starter. Originally selected in the 16th Round by the Kings in 1937, Branch made the right decision and instead signed with Minnesota Tech, as he made great strides in college. He always showed power, 5 homers in high school as a sophomore, but he managed to send 16 out of the park for the Lakers, including 7 in a strong freshman year. It was arguably the best of his three seasons, as the Wymore native hit .290/.330/.435 with 13 doubles and 49 RBIs. A little small for a catcher, Branch is just 5'7'', but he's already shown great defensive skills behind the plate, while Tom Weinstock credits his "great heart and effort." OSA likes his glove too, but neither are fans of his hit tool. Branch will get to start his Cougar career in La Crosse, pushing Solly Skidmore up to San Jose, but I expect Branch to split time with one of our three 8th Rounders. He profiles strictly as a backup catcher now, but a catcher with a good glove is extremely valuable.

7th Round, 97th Overall: RHP Fred Thaxton
School: Tallmadge State
1940: 8-4, 119.2 IP, 3.46 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 53 BB, 113 K
Career: 16-8, 232.1 IP, 3.41 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 85 BB, 194 K

Leading off the 7th Round is righty Fred Thaxton, who I actually don't think was listed on the mock when I selected him yesterday. Now he is listed as our projected 5th Round selection, and 11th of the twelve pitchers listed on the mock. A two year starter at Tallmadge State, Thaxton put up huge strikeout numbers as a Junior, working to a 8.5 K/9 after a still solid 6.5 as a sophomore. I'm a big fan of his stuff, as his fastball, cutter, and change are all average or better pitches, and even with his command issues, he should be able to strike out a lot of hitters. He doesn't throw too hard for a guy with two fastballs, but he upped his velocity to 86-88 this May, and the more speed he adds, the better his pitches are going to be. Unlike most of the new Cougars, Thaxton doesn't have the greatest makeup, as coaches have had issues with both is mental and physical limitations. I'm hoping with a good clubhouse, we can help correct some of his personality issues, and hopefully have him push past these limitations. This may cap his ceiling, but as a college arm, especially a well developed one, he has a higher floor then most. He's really just a spot or emergency starter, but I could see him being big league ready in just a few seasons.

7th Round, 108th Overall: SS Steve Rosko
School: College of Waco
1940: .261/.323/.359, 234 PA, 7 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 38 RBI, 37 SB
Career (HS): .431/.496/.622, 350 PA, 26 2B, 8 3B, 5 HR, 83 RBI, 63 SB
Career (COL): 264/.325/.359, 701 PA, 20 2B, 4 3B, 11 HR, 102 RBI, 103 SB

We continued this run of college draftees with New Orleans' Steve Rosko. Another former King draftee, Rosko was their 14th Round selection in 1937, two rounds before Branch, and he spent his three seasons at the College of Waco. He didn't have the greatest numbers in one of the tougher college conferences, but he's an athletic shortstop who is a quality defender and good baserunner. His hit tools aren't the best, as he'll need to work on improving his pitch selection and situational hitting, but he still looks like an average contact hitter despite it. Fix up a few things with his discipline, and he could become a much better hitter. Rosko profiles as a bench bat now, but he is boosted by his versatility. Along with short, he has gotten time at second, third, and left, and he's a capable defender at all three positions. Still, his bat will hold him back, as he hits too many groundballs and I don't expect him to ever hit many extra base hits. He is listed on the Mock at 4.16, but there is a reason Rosko fell to the 7th Round. He's not the most exciting prospect out there, but he's another high floor, low ceiling utility man who could end up being a very useful depth piece for us.